Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators

Implantable Cardiac
Defibrillators are similar to pacemakers and the surgery required to
place them is much the same. These are used for treatment of episodes
of rapid heartbeat and/or fibrillation; especially of the lower
chambers of the heart. They prevent episodes of sudden cardiac death
because of arrhythmia. They do this by either pacing or shocking the
heart internally.

Bi-Ventricular Pacing is used either in combination with pacing or
implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy. This involves placing a
third wire on the left side of the heart at the time of pacemaker or
defibrillator implantation. This is added if a significant degree of
congestive heart failure and low left ventricular function is present.